Egypt has officially assumed the leadership of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Council of Ministers, marking a pivotal moment in the continent’s journey toward economic integration. The announcement was made at the 16th AfCFTA Council meeting held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, where Egypt succeeded Tanzania in this influential role.
As the continent’s largest free trade agreement, the AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa, unlocking new opportunities for intra-African trade, industrialization, and economic growth. The agreement, which covers 54 African nations, seeks to break down barriers to trade, stimulate cross-border investment, and empower African industries to compete on a global scale.
In his recorded speech at the event, Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, expressed Egypt’s strong commitment to advancing the AfCFTA’s objectives. He underscored the urgency of addressing key technical challenges—particularly the rules of origin for essential sectors like textiles, clothing, and automobiles—that have hindered the full operationalization of the agreement.
“Eliminating these hurdles is critical if we are to realize the full potential of AfCFTA and accelerate economic growth across the continent,” El-Khatib said. “Egypt is ready to lead efforts to resolve these issues and ensure that African industries are well-positioned to thrive within a unified market.”
One of the primary focuses of El-Khatib’s remarks was the need for faster resolution of outstanding technical negotiations, which are essential to the smooth functioning of the AfCFTA. These negotiations focus on establishing clear rules for determining the African origin of products, a crucial step in granting them preferential tariffs and trade benefits under the AfCFTA framework.
In response to these challenges, El-Khatib proposed that a specialized ministerial session be held in Egypt, where African trade ministers could address these technical bottlenecks and develop a short-term roadmap to achieve actionable outcomes. This session, according to El-Khatib, would be pivotal in unlocking the full benefits of the AfCFTA for both businesses and consumers across the continent.
Egypt’s ascension to the chairmanship also places the country in a critical position to shape the future of Africa’s trade landscape. With its robust industrial sector, strategic location as a gateway to both African and Middle Eastern markets, and growing manufacturing base, Egypt is well-placed to lead the push for deeper integration. The country’s leadership will be key in driving forward the AfCFTA’s broader goals of industrialization, infrastructure development, and sustainable economic cooperation.
El-Khatib reiterated that Egypt remains fully committed to the AfCFTA’s broader vision of creating a self-sufficient African economy. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration among African nations to overcome challenges such as infrastructure gaps, regulatory differences, and the impacts of global economic volatility.
As Egypt begins its tenure as chair of the AfCFTA Council, all eyes will be on the country’s efforts to accelerate the implementation of the free trade area, resolve technical and regulatory issues, and foster greater economic cooperation across the continent. The role is both an opportunity and a responsibility to shape the future of African trade and drive forward the continent’s economic aspirations.
